There are two great reasons for buying a vacation home: You want one and you can afford to buy it. Buying a vacation home as an investment, however, should not be your primary motivation. Some vacation properties can also be good investments. Others aren't. As recent history has shown, real estate prices can go down as well as up, and there are no guarantees. There are, however, some guidelines that can help you find a vacation home that will provide value along with pleasure